Meaning of “American Jesus” by Nessa Barrett

“American Jesus” is another yet pop song which utilizes religious terminology to point to romantic or, more specifically in this case, sexual ideas – a motif that has and continues to be so heavily utilized that it might as well be deemed an industry standard. 

And in this case what we are most notably met with is the vocalist likening the apple of her eye to the biblical Jesus, not only in terms of how said character is usually depicted physically but also as the one who is ‘saving’ her via their romance. 

He’s is further touted as an “American”, thus allowing the vocalist to also use terminology related to that group also, such as Nessa “pledging… allegiance” to the addressee and him being her “cowboy”, all of which is meant to allude to the singer’s strong feelings for her sweetheart.

So basically, this piece is filled with enough Jesus-associated terminology that Christians who are more serious about their belief system than Barrett apparently is may even count it as being sacrilegious. But underneath all of the various terminology derived from the New Testament, what we are more realistically dealing with here, to reiterate, is a love song, whereas the vocalist puts a premium on her physical attraction to the addressee. 

And her faith in him, so to speak, is based on this “American Jesus” being the one who imbues the vocalist’s life with that special degree of edification that can only be derived through a holistically-satisfying romance.

“You know all my secrets
American Jesus, baby
Won’t you take me to Heaven tonight?
You know you’re my weakness
American Jesus, save mе
You’re the greatеst love of my life
American Jesus”

Release Date of “American Jesus”

This track was put out on 28 April 2023 and is expected to be featured on Nessa Barrett’s sophomore EP and the follow-up to her 2021 extended play “Pretty Poison”. In the meantime she also dropped a studio album, “Young Forever”, in 2022, with all of these projects being backed by Warner Records. 

Production and Writing

Besides singing “American Jesus”, Barrett also co-wrote the song. She co-wrote it with Solly, Madi Yanofsky and the track’s producer, Evan Blair.